Why buy a NEW Rolex? Why not just buy used?

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by CardCollection

I don't understand the reasoning behind purchasing a new watch.

What about underpants?

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

What about underpants?

Some loves them with race tracks.

[tedscott3]

This is the third or so question in the past few days I just don't get. Millions of people buy new Rolex watches, millions of people buy Submariners and never dive with them, millions of people buy platinum/white gold Rolex watches. Is there really a need for an explanation for what a large percentage if not the majority of Rolex owners are doing?!

[Beef]

I've bought at least a dozen from trusted sellers on here and almost as many from ADs. I have a friendly personal relationship with one AD that mostly stems from a family friendship that spans a couple of generations.

Otherwise, my AD experiences were pretty much the same as my tire buying experience. I want this, here's my money, he thanks me, I say you're welcome, I leave, he banks the money. Pleasant, courteous, but not a spa treatment or anything. And I don't expect it to be.

Frankly, I'd rather save the money and hit the classifieds here.

[Pringle]

i only buy for the stickers, the watch is a bonus.

[mkw]

in my case, I have never and will never flip a watch ..they are all keepers, so I want to be the one and only owner

[Tools]

Originally Posted by REFZ

Can you please explain why you ask this question without any substantiation?
Because I don't understand that you don't understand why people buy new watches.

What should be wrong with buying a new product like a watch?

I agree. Simply a trolling question to generate comment, nothing more.

Personally I don't understand why so many are willing to buy somebody else's castoffs..

[John Atkins]

It's the pleasure of being first...in Rolex's!

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Maxy

I used to think hard for the reasoning behind purchasing a used watch.

You need to understand lot, especially in Japan and overall Asia, there is a strong cultural aversion for buying anything second-hand. There is no market for anything used in many countries. People only buy watches or cars which they can afford NEW, simple as that.

Then why are Japan and Hong Kong such huge used Rolex markets? I'd estimate Hong Kong to be certainly the largest per capita in the world.

[HL65]

I buy new from AD and I smell a troll as well.

[Rolexpharm]

To be honest with you some of the used models and new models are not that far off in price. For that reason I would rather pay the little extra and get a new one and if I had any problems they can at least back their product as well as rolex. There is also an instant gratification factor that literally you get what you pay for and not have to worry about the delivery and worrying if you'll be home to get the watch.

There are some people who are really picky with what they want and the need a new one for customization because for the DD and DJ it's hard for some to wait for the exact model they want to come used. When you buy new you know the history of all the scratches, dings and problems and there is a story behind each one. Like scratching your Sub crystal on the coral while snorkeling.

[Vaxe]

Unless you buy from an AD who takes off all stickers, then later finds out your watch has an imperfect dial and polishing compounds on the case.

Even buying from an AD, you can never be 100% sure unless you inspect the watch in person before the purchase, and all stickers are intact.

Originally Posted by locutus49

Although you may have confidence in the seller if he is a WIS, in reality you have no idea what the previous owner did to the watch. When you buy new, you have a very high confidence that it is un-abused. That is why some pay the premium.

I would consider a mint pre-owned for my next Rolex, depending on the amount of money I would save. It would have to be significant, or I will just buy new from a TRF seller.

[locutus49]

There have been a number of weird threads lately. Must be the summer heat. I'm waiting for the question "why do people waste money on over-priced watches when they can use their mobile phones to tell time?"

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by locutus49

There have been a number of weird threads lately. Must be the summer heat. I'm waiting for the question "why do people waste money on over-priced watches when they can use their mobile phones to tell time?"

The bridge that they normally live under is undergoing modernisation.

[Kyu]

Aw cmon guys don't get upset at the op
We discussed stuff like this before, till uve experienced it u won't understand it.
That excitement at the AD , those stickers peeling off, the lighting and vibe of the moment u purchase in the AD room lol its magical.. Like u've accomplished a simple yet delicate goal.

Sweaty hands, drumming heart, overly excited but trying to play cool and calm. That new purchase feeling while walking out that door. That relief

Put it this way
If cost was not into the equation
Let's say used and new were free

Which would u choose ?

We all also buy used watches,
I have no shame saying I buy used watches time to time. Sometimes what I want is just not out on the market and hard to come by

[The Libertine]

Originally Posted by locutus49

There have been a number of weird threads lately. Must be the summer heat. I'm waiting for the question "why do people waste money on over-priced watches when they can use their mobile phones to tell time?"

A thread of this iteration usually appears in the Open Discussion forum every now and then.

[del101]

If no one buys new then there will be no used ones

[vman]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Then why are Japan and Hong Kong such huge used Rolex markets? I'd estimate Hong Kong to be certainly the largest per capita in the world.

I suspect those markets rely on tourists. I visited quite a few shops in Tokyo that sold used watches and most customers who were there happened to be from out of the country. According to my Japanese friend and a fellow WIS, many people in Japan prefer new items. Basically, if you can afford it you get things brand new. I am not sure why there is an allergy to buying second-hand, but to each his own.

[saaduk]

Originally Posted by Beef

I've bought at least a dozen from trusted sellers on here and almost as many from ADs. I have a friendly personal relationship with one AD that mostly stems from a family friendship that spans a couple of generations.

Otherwise, my AD experiences were pretty much the same as my tire buying experience. I want this, here's my money, he thanks me, I say you're welcome, I leave, he banks the money. Pleasant, courteous, but not a spa treatment or anything. And I don't expect it to be.

Frankly, I'd rather save the money and hit the classifieds here.

Very well said.

Sent from my HTC 802w using Tapatalk

[GB-man]

The price difference between like new and brand new is not significant enough for me to want preowned.

[petee1997]

Between my wife and I we have bought five new Rolex watches. All were purchased from an AD at the store in person. We have always worked a very good price and since we have no intention of ever selling our watches, there is no point buying used for very little savings.

Like another OP mentioned, they will be family heirlooms and passed on to family members. Buying them new will reflect our history totally and not partially someone else's story.

[cabphoto]

New means new

Used means used

It isn't even a debate

A car with no miles on it is worth more than one with 10,000

[melons]

Because new is new. It ain't something else, it's new.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by vman

I suspect those markets rely on tourists. I visited quite a few shops in Tokyo that sold used watches and most customers who were there happened to be from out of the country. According to my Japanese friend and a fellow WIS, many people in Japan prefer new items. Basically, if you can afford it you get things brand new. I am not sure why there is an allergy to buying second-hand, but to each his own.

Not everyone in Japan can afford to buy new, though, and the used market there is thriving. I have been to Japan more than 20 times and see plenty of Japanese shopping for used watches. And in HK, where I live, I don't think I have ever seen a tourist in a used Rolex dealer (and I spend a lot of time in them), they are always full of locals, with the occasional expat.

[mrecho]

Originally Posted by cabphoto

New means new

Used means used

It isn't even a debate

A car with no miles on it is worth more than one with 10,000

Until you drive it off the lot.

[chris975d]

Originally Posted by btinl

I bought all of my Rolex watches new from an AD. I have a good, long-term relationship which enables me to get prices that are better than those offered by the trusted sellers here.

This. Unless I'm looking for something out of production, or non-Rolex, my relationship with my AD allows me to buy new at prices the trusted sellers here can't really come close to.

[Clutch Cargo]

A new Rolex comes with a 100% guarantee that nothing in the watch's past will come back to haunt you, should it ever need servicing. A used Rolex may have an illegal modification, which would result in additional costs to restore it to factory specifications. Worst yet, it may have been reported stolen, which could result in it being confiscated, without compensation. You may buy used from a trusted seller here, but unless they are the original owner, they can not know the full history of the watch.

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Then why are Japan and Hong Kong such huge used Rolex markets? I'd estimate Hong Kong to be certainly the largest per capita in the world.

Originally Posted by vman

I suspect those markets rely on tourists. I visited quite a few shops in Tokyo that sold used watches and most customers who were there happened to be from out of the country. According to my Japanese friend and a fellow WIS, many people in Japan prefer new items. Basically, if you can afford it you get things brand new. I am not sure why there is an allergy to buying second-hand, but to each his own.

Yeah, that is quite true. You buy Rolex only when you can afford one. Asia is quite conservative, they would never buy something from pawn shops or someone selling their watch deeming they are in trouble. They don't want their troubles carry onto them!

Not my thoughts but thats how the thought process is over that side. Similarly there is no market for cars in Japan, all used cars are exported outside Japan.

Also, I understand buying heavily used watches for 2nd, 3rd Rolex but not your 1st watch which basically means, you really can't afford to own the watch yet and better wait for some more time.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Yeah, that is quite true. You buy Rolex only when you can afford one. Asia is quite conservative, they would never buy something from pawn shops or someone selling their watch deeming they are in trouble. They don't want their troubles carry onto them!

Not my thoughts but thats how the thought process is over that side. Similarly there is no market for cars in Japan, all used cars are exported outside Japan.

Also, I understand buying heavily used watches for 2nd, 3rd Rolex but not your 1st watch which basically means, you really can't afford to own the watch yet and better wait for some more time.

Then why are Asian cities full of pawn shops?

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Then why are Asian cities full of pawn shops?

Not everyone sells their stuff in pawn stores, they pawn it and then get it back later. Ideally am talking about conservative nature of asians in using used stuff and you are trying to differ on that. Well if you don't want to believe that majority Asians are that conservative in this matter, you are free to believe.